Jeffrey M. Halpern, Ph.D.
He/Him/His

Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering

Head of SEEDS Laboratory

Contact: jeffrey.halpern@unh.edu

Twitter: @JeffreyMHalpern

Prof. Halpern obtained his PhD in Chemical Engineering in 2010 at Case Western Reserve. His first post doctorate (2011-2012) was funded through a T32 musculoskeletal NRSA training fellowship at Case Western Reserve University. Prof. Halpern obtained a Fulbright Scholarship and Lady Davis Fellowship (2013-2014) to work at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. The knowledge gained in all of these experiences is fundamental in the SEEDS Laboratory approach to sensing technology. 

Prof. Jeffrey Halpern is also very proud of his strong undergraduate mentoring plan. Prof. Halpern has mentored over 25 undergraduate students or summer interns, many of which are part of a minority group. A majority of these students have pursued or plan on pursuing post-graduate education. In 2019, Prof. Halpern received an Educator's Award from LEAP for Education as part of his mentoring efforts. 

Stanley Feeney, PhD Chemical Engineering Candidate, 2024/2025

Contact:  sgf1015@wildcats.unh.edu 

Stanley Feeney received his B.S. degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell with Chemical Engineering Major and Biological Sciences Minor. His undergraduate research experience includes physical modelling of carbon fiber tows with Abaqus, using Nanoscribe 3D Laser Lithography to create Photonic Wire Bonding for optical computing and sensor technology, and studying the effects of hydrogen concentration on zinc oxide thin film epitaxy. His current research focuses on the use of elastin-like polymer (ELP) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) as a sensing platform for medically-relevabt biomarkers. Relevant techniques for characterization of the polymeric stimulus response include electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM).

Sarah Bramlitt, PhD Chemistry Student, 2025

Contact: sarah.bramlitt@unh.edu 

Sarah is a third year Chemistry Ph.D. student and General Chemistry (403 & 404) Teaching Assistant at UNH. She received her B.S. in Forensic Science and B.S. in Chemistry from the University of New Haven in 2019. Her undergraduate experience focused heavily on Forensic Science, which led to an internship at the New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner’s Office. Her experiences during this internship inspired her to pursue graduate research in drugs of abuse. Currently, her research focuses on the development of a molecularly imprinted polymer-based sensor for the detection of codeine. 

Co-Advised with W. Rudolph Seitz

Ferdows Sajedi, PhD Chemical Engineering Student, 2026/2027

Contact: Ferdows.sajedi@unh.edu

Ferdows is a first year PhD student at UNH. She received her Master's in Chemical Engineering from Sahand University of Technology in 2020. Her master’s project was about Synthesis of silica aerogel and its performance evaluation for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. She enjoys hiking, shopping, traveling, and spending time with friends.

Henry Roell, PhD Chemistry Student, 2027

Contact: Henry.Roell@unh.edu

Henry is a first-year chemistry PhD student at UNH. He received his B.S. degree from Michigan Technological University in Houghton Michigan. At MTU, Henry performed research in Dr. Tarun Dam’s molecular biology lab, focusing on the purification of plant-based biomolecules and their interactions with red blood cells. Here at UNH, Henry’s research focuses on long polymer chains of elastin-like polymer’s (ELP) and their thermal responsive behavior. He plans to characterize the behavior of these polymers by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

Zahraa (Zee) Albeshir, PhD Chemistry Student, 2027

Contact: zba1000@usnh.edu

Zee is a first year Chemistry PhD student at UNH. She received her received her B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of New England in 2022. Her undergraduate research focused on using computational sources to study the behavior of surface immobilized elastin-like polymers. Her research currently focuses on improving the longterm stability of analyte-responsive polymers bound to gold surface. Outside of the lab, she enjoys backpacking, skiing, and being around trees

Grace Higgins, Biochemistry, 2024

Contact: grace.higgins@unh.edu 

Grace Higgins is a junior pursuing a dual degree in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology and Music Liberal Arts. She is a member of the University Honors Program, the New Hampshire Outing Club, and UNH's Athletes Intervarsity club. Her research focuses on elastin like polymers (ELPs) and insulin binding proteins (IBPs) and their use in biosensors using techniques such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). After UNH, she hopes to either purse an osteopathic medical degree or gain employment in a biotech or research field. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, skiing, playing the piano, and spending time with her friends and family. 

Sydney Crotteau, Biochemistry, 2024

Contact: sydney.crotteau@unh.edu  

Sydney Crotteau is a junior Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology major at the University of New Hampshire. She is a member of the inaugural group of BIO-SENS Academic Scholars. Her research in the lab focuses on developing a reusable cyclodextrin biosensor for bioanalyte detection. After UNH, she hopes to further her education by pursuing a medical degree with a focus in pediatrics. Her hobbies include painting, reading, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends. 

Corinne Fernald, Biochemistry, 2025

Contact: corinne.fernald@unh.edu  

Corinne Fernald is a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Science: Medical and Veterinary Sciences. She is a member of the Honors College. She began working in the lab when she received a REAP grant for the summer of 2022 from the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research. Corinne's current research focuses on studying Elastin-Like Polymers (ELPs) in different salt concentrations using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) for their application towards bioreactors. After UNH, Corinne hopes attend medical school or continue her education in Biomedical Science through a graduate program. In addition to working in the lab, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing soccer, running, and traveling. 

Ryan Brown, Neuroscience/Behavior Student, 2025

Contact: Ryan.Brown2@unh.edu 

Ryan is a fourth-year neuroscience/behavior student at UNH. He received his B.S. and MA degrees from University of California Irvine. At UCI, Ryan performed research in Dr. Sara Mednick’s lab, focusing on methods of communication with and manipulation of dreams. Here at UNH, Ryan’s research focuses on biosensor reliability which informs his interest in the ability for neurological applications. Within the SEEDS Lab, he plans to utilize new experimental technologies, such as quantum cascade lasers and dissipative quartz crystal microbalances, to characterize unwanted, nanoscale interactions on molecular sensors. 

Julia Edgar, Biomedical Science: Medical and Veterinary Sciences, 2026

Contact: julia.edgar@unh.edu 

co-Lab Manager

Julia Edgar is a sophomore undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Science: Medical and Veterinary Sciences at the University of New Hampshire. She is an active member of the Hamel Scholars Program, a captain of the Oriza Club Ultimate Frisbee Team on campus, and will be certified as an EMT in the near future. Julia’s research in the lab focuses on using charged cyclodextrins to detect specific analytes in an electrochemical biosensor. After UNH, she plans to further her education by pursuing a graduate degree, with the end goal of becoming a Physician Assistant. Her hobbies outside of the lab include hiking, surfing, biking, and spending time with friends and family. 

Cassie Lafleur, Chemical Engineering, 2026

Contact: cassie.lafleur@unh.edu  

Cassie is a sophomore undergraduate student majoring in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). She’s involved with the Hamel Scholars Program, the Undergraduate Student Senate, the Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) Program, and the Campus Living Association. Her research is through the CORE MINDERS Group, which is a collaboration between the Communications, Marketing, and Chemical and Bioengineering departments at UNH focussing on neurodiversity research. In particular, she is helping with a joint literature review paper on supporting neurodiversity among undergraduate researchers in STEM lab setting​s, as well as an American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) research paper on understanding the perspectives among neurodiverse undergraduate researchers in STEM.